Beyond Marriage Equality

In 1920, the United States passed the 20th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. This was a huge victory for feminism and what was the precursor to the social justice community. Since then, it has been a popular thought that “female oppression is over” and that feminism no longer serves a cohesive purpose. This, of course, is untrue - there are many modern day examples of a societal double standard between men and women. However, this idea that women now are not oppressed persists, and the Amendment is often used as evidence.

Blame It On The Gays

David Silvester also compared abortion to the holocaust

A few days ago, UKIP councillor David Silvester blamed the recent floods and storms which caused misery for thousands in the UK throughout the Christmas period, on gay marriage being legalized in England and Wales last July.

Almost immediately, the media started another storm (this one to be blamed on Mr. Silvester) as his comments were to be made known around the world within a few hours of him making them and a spoof UKIP Weather Twitter account gained over 100,000 followers in less than two days.

However, David Silvester is not the first to have blamed a minority for something bad happening. Oh no...

Why Gay Marriage is NOT "Bad for the Kids"

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These days, gay marriage is the hot issue in American politics. States have been legalizing gay marriage left and right, which is awesome. It even seems like many politicians on all sides are starting to realize that the question of gay marriage is not “if” it will be legalized nationwide, but “when”. Many are starting to change their tune – even if they’re not fully supporting it, they’re at least not flat-out condemning it (there are still some who do, obviously, but the general trend seems to be moving away from that pretty quickly). While a lot of the arguments against legalizing gay marriage are based in religion (which I have a whole host of issues with, but that’s another post for another time), one argument that’s always confused me is the one where they try to make it about “the kids”. The argument I’m referring to is the one that says that kids do best with a mom and a dad, two parents of opposite genders. Coming from an educational background in psychology combined with years of working with kids in various capacities, this argument makes zero sense to me. I’m writing this tonight because I want to explain why, and I feel like it needs to be put out there into the world.

How Do You Spell LGBT, Again?

Last week, England and Wales became the sixteenth and seventeenth countries to legalise marriage equality. There’s the good news for all you English and Welsh LGB people; now everyone can marry if they want! So what could possibly be the problem? This bill is what everyone has been waiting for, right?

Well, not quite for everyone. For those interested, the original bill - before any amendments, as unfortunately the official Act has not yet been published - can be found here, and this is the official parliamentary page where you can see all the relevant documentation.

5 Same-Sex Russian Couples Apply for Marriage Licenses

The five couples openly opposed the "gay gag" law

On the morning of Friday 28th June in Saint Petersburg, Russia, one of the most unfriendly cities in the world to gay people, five couples of LGBT activists took to the streets in their wedding outfits.

The aim? To denounce the ever-growing anti-LGBT lawmaking scandal in the city and in Russia as a whole.

The anti-LGBT atmosphere has been growing for quite some time now, and more laws banning so-called "gay propaganda" have been passed since last year when Moscow's gay pride was banned for 100 years, and Saint Petersburg also installed a ban against anything that's remotely gay, or may "offend religious beliefs".

SCOTUS Deals a Knockout Blow to Prop 8 and DOMA

Marriage equality supporters on Wednesday (S)

The Supreme Court of the United States (also known as SCOTUS) ruled on the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) as well as California’s Proposition 8 on the 26th June 2013. Both laws were deemed unconstitutional. However, it’s important to look at what this actually means, so without further ado I am here to explain what each of these laws were, how they came to be, how they were overturned, and what this changes for American same-sex married couples.

REACTION: France Passes Equal Rights Legislation

Tuesday was the finale of an 8-month battle for equality

"For some it should have come sooner, but now it has arrived" proclaimed Jean-Christophe Testu, president of the LGBT center, Le Girofard in Bordeaux, France before a crowd of excited, emotional and relieved supporters of LGBT rights.

It's been a long and grueling road to pave for LGBT activists in the country, starting back on the 8th November 2012 and ending on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.

Tears were shed, cheers were heard and emotion filled the air in the small room of the center as onlookers watched the final vote at the National Assembly live.

FRANCE: Senate Adopts Gay Marriage Bill, Homophobia Grows

The French Senate adopted the bill last night (S)

With 179 for and 157 against, France's senate decided in the late hours of Tuesday night to pass article 1 of the equality bills that are on the table at the moment.

But all has not yet been won. Same-sex couples will be able to marry as soon as this summer, but French activists know that this is only the beginning of the end of their fight for equality. The senate is yet to adopt articles on adoption, partnership laws, and once those have passed the fight will be reignited by the demand for same-sex equality when it comes to Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP).

Why I Don't Say the Pledge of Allegiance

Warning: I'm about to go full 'MURICA. International readers beware.

This article is a bit of a break from what I usually have to offer. While it is definitely pertinent to the LGBT community (of America at least), it also concerns the rest of my country and its relationship with the world at large.

The 11th of December

The church is saying no to same-sex marriage (S)

On the 11th December 2012 I made a paper chain and drank tea. The tea was soothing and intended to cheer me up, and the paper chain was to keep my hands busy so I didn’t do anything regrettable like punch a wall, because I was angry. Angry and upset.

Gay Marriage in the UK

Say hello to our new flag, the Union Rainbow

This week, the government of England and Wales voted on the same-sex marriage bill. It was on the news pretty much all day in the UK, and (hopefully) made the news in some other countries as well. The debate started in the early afternoon, and the votes were cast at seven in the evening. So what was the verdict? Is England and Wales to enjoy some good old equality, or will right-wing politics prevail and marriage to remain unequal? Be careful, dear reader, because that was a trick question. The truth is that it’s neither.

 

This Week in France: Gay Rights Debate Starts in National Assembly

"Article 1 passed - Equality Moves Forward" reads a banner at a counter-protest during an anti-equality demonstration,
Saturday in Bordeaux. Source: AFP

FRANCE -- This week in France the ongoing national debate around equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples stepped up a gear as it came to the floor of the National Assembly. The bill, an initiative of Justice minister, Christine Taubira, is being heatedly scrutinized and eulogized by over 300 ministers and deputies as we speak, night and day, who - according to the official records - spoke over 246,000 words last weekend only; the equivalent of half of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, also a world-renowned musical.

The Gay Guy's Guide to Handing Out Flyers

Because people like these are doing it against you, do it for yourself

Over the past week or so I've handed thousands of flyers for the equality rally that was held in my city last weekend.

I'd like to believe I am now somewhat of an expert when it comes to smiling at people, saying "hello", and stretching out my arm to hand a wretched piece of soggy colourful paper to a passer-by, which on most occasions is followed by a "thank you" as they acquire yet another piece of free literature which they may or may not read.

But don't start off with a negative point of view! Handing out flyers is a good way of cheaply letting thousands of people know about your LGBT event. Whether they support it or not, they'll know the LGBT movement is, well... moving!

Ten Days Until Armageddon (So Say the Homophobes)

That's one way to tie the knot! (S)

Ten days, people of England and Wales. Ten days until same sex couples will (if everything goes well) be legally allowed to marry in parts of the United Kingdom. It’s a good feeling for me. 

This morning, the government in the UK published its proposal to legalise gay marriage. Called the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, it proposes various changes to existing legislation, including the extension of marriage to same-sex couples, the granting of the ability to perform marriages in army chapels, and the conversion of civil partnership to marriage. It can be found here. 

This Week In France: Fight Continues, Antis get Angry

Xavier Bongibault, a very troubled young man, compares France to Nazi Germany at an anti-equality conference, Friday

FRANCE -- It's been a very busy week in France for both pro- and anti-equality activists with the anti-equality demonstrations around the country drawing to a close, and two weeks of equal rights rallies being planned. The last of the anti demonstrations was held last weekend (13th January) in Paris with over 340,000 demonstrators according to the police, and 800,000 according to the organizers, their discourse growing more radical in a last-ditch attempt to spread their message of hate before the bill hits the floor of the National Assembly to be voted upon at the end of the month.

"I'm 26 years old and the only thing I haven't got is my other mother's surname"

Myriam Blanc and Astrid Boekholtavec were two of the parents present at the conference

FRANCE -- "I'm 26 years old and the only thing I haven't got is my other mother's surname" says Celine before silently breaking down in tears. Sadly, an estimated 300,000 other children of gay couples in France share her story according to a study by APGL (the Association of Gay and Lesbian Parents, France).

Recently I attended a conference on adoption and same-sex parenthood in Bordeaux, France. It was an emotional evening with same-sex couples giving accounts of their experiences and the hell they have been through to have children because of the French system. The conference was also attended by other representatives of local LGBT associations, and the director of interim President, François Hollande's online election campaign, Vincent Feltesse, now the county deputy who described himself on the night as "very close to Mr. Hollande".

"Gaie Paris": The Fight for Equality Comes to the City of Love

Supporters cross a bridge by the Notre Dame
© Freedom Requires Wings

FRANCE -- Between 60,000 to 150,000 people waving rainbow flags, chanting slogans, and blowing whistles filled the Place de la Bastille, Paris, Sunday; the same square where interim president François Hollande stood not 7 months ago during his election night speech before a similar scene and assured them all the points of his program would be carried out.

Marriage equality was one of those points, making Sunday's rally the most symbolic one yet in the French fight for equal rights. The rally was to support equal marriage, adoption and Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) bills due to be voted on in Parliament in the New Year, and to denounce the recent surge of homophobia in the country since the debate started.

60,000 people took to the streets of Paris according to police estimates, and 150,000 according to the organizers. Some papers estimated 80,000 participants, others 100,000, the numbers still unclear. In November, 70,000 anti protesters took to the same streets to protest against the bills.

Tight Security at French Marriage Equality Rally

Yes, that's me. It's on the internet. Hello Mum! © 2012 Anthony Rojo

FRANCE -- "Those people at the Place des Quinconces would be the subjects of a fantastic scientific study!" cried Mayinza Banthoud from the pro-equality Youth for Ecology association, "They're trying to travel back in time to the 1950s! But we invite them to join us here in the 21st century!" - the crowd laughed and cheered.

Gay, Straight, Black or White, Marriage Is a Civil Right!

That's me in the grey tee there, with my friends.
[S]

Dudes and dudettes, it's that time of the three-months again. Activists from all around Brisbane flocked together to march against government enforced discrimination- or should I say, we marched for marriage equality.

This rally was a little different to others- different starting location, large difference in temperature to last time (oh, Queensland.) and a little break sitting down in the middle of the road halfway through.

We met wonderful new people, listened to downright inspirational stories, and persevered through heat (and for some, hangovers..) to make our voices heard.

Contrasts

Living in Africa can be… to put it mildly… confusing. When it comes to peoples’ rights, especially. There just seems to be one heck of a contrast. Let me be a bit less general. I live in Africa, but I’ve never lived in any other country than South Africa. Now South Africa has a very progressive constitution, which was put into place in around 1994, after the fall of apartheid. Let’s put it this way, because we have people of all colours and creeds living here, and 11 official languages.